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Opened at the beginning of April, the new 1,100 sq m Smartseller store offers travellers an innovative duty-free shopping experience combined with high-quality food and beverage offerings and a sense of regional identity. The Store Makers at umdasch took on the entire project management for the store construction and ensured a smooth and high-quality implementation with the delivery and installation of furniture, light sculptures and catering elements.

Retail is no longer defined by the mid-market segment. Across the globe, a growing divide is reshaping the sector: Luxury brands are thriving on exclusivity and immersive experiences, while discount retailers are rapidly expanding through pricing power and operational scale. Mid-market players – the dependable heart of shopping centers – are being squeezed out, explains Yurdaer Kahraman, CEO and Board Member of Fiba Commercial Properties.

From the rummage table to the feel-good factor: Discount concepts are no longer stigmatized, and luxury concepts are booming. That’s not to say that mid-range concepts are disappearing, but if you want to survive somewhere between the two poles, you’d better deliver. In an interview with ACROSS, Olaf Ley, CEO of Germany Retail at Eurofund, describes the most important changes in consumer behavior in recent years and provides insight into the developments concerning the Rhein-Ruhr Zentrum (RRZ) in Mülheim, Germany, as well as Eurofund’s expansion plans.

Sonae Sierra has announced the appointment of Tobias Lagaly as the new Center Manager of EUROPA-Galerie Saarbrücken, a prominent shopping destination in the heart of the Saarland capital. The native Saarbrücken resident officially assumed his new role today, bringing with him extensive industry experience in both center management and event development.

German retail group Müller has achieved a record €5 billion in net sales in the 2023/24 fiscal year, reinforcing its position as a resilient full-range retailer amid challenging market conditions. Strategic expansion, digital innovation, and a strong workforce continue to drive the company’s success.

Market analysts show that retail is becoming increasingly polarized: Consumers are shifting toward either high-end experiences or low-cost purchases, leaving mid-market retailers struggling. This divide affects both retailers and locations — with vibrant city hubs thriving while smaller towns face challenges.

When international retailers scout new markets, SES Spar European Shopping Centers is often their first port of call. The latest market entries – including KIKO Milano and Fashion&Friends in Slovenia, and the global debut of HIGGINS in Vienna – confirm SES’s position as a launchpad for brands with global appeal. With high foot traffic, premium locations, and standout architecture, SES centers continue to attract major players in retail looking to make a strong first impression.

A radical transformation: As traditional retail declines and department stores shutter, cities are reimagining these spaces as vibrant hubs of leisure, culture, and community. From immersive entertainment in London to rooftop farms in Antwerp, this shift reflects more than just changing consumer habits – it’s reshaping urban life itself, explains Herman Kok, Associate Partner at DISCvision. Discover how tomorrow’s cities are turning shopping into experience, and malls into modern agoras.

With the promotion of Dr. Philipp Hoog to partner as of July 1, 2025, BBE Handelsberatung underscores its long-standing commitment to shaping the future of retail and consumer goods through expert strategy and innovation.

The demands placed on brick-and-mortar retailers have intensified significantly: Experiences, clear positioning, and top-quality levels are no longer optional, but mandatory. “Only those who provide a sense of clarity stand a chance of survival.” Christoph Andexlinger, CEO of SES Spar European Shopping Centers, speaks with ACROSS about the realignment of traditional shopping centers, the power of regional retailers, and why mid-range segment retailers will only have a future, if they are uncomprisingly clearly positioned.

In today’s evolving retail landscape, marketing automation is no longer optional, it is essential. Shopping centers, once purely transactional spaces, are now transforming into dynamic destinations for experience, entertainment, and community connection. However, in a world in which consumers expect relevance, immediacy, and personalization, how can centers deliver consistent, high-quality engagement without overwhelming their marketing teams?

Westfield Shopping City Süd and Westfield Donau Zentrum have signed a cooperation agreement with Wien Energie to develop and operate a total of 300 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across both shopping centers. The collaboration marks a major step toward advancing sustainable mobility goals set by parent company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW).

EDGE certification is a key part of Kaufland’s bold plan to slash CO₂ emissions across its vast real estate portfolio. From triple glazing to heat recovery systems, Dominik Uhe, Head of Investor Relationship Management at Kaufland International describes how a data-driven approach is transforming Kaufland’s properties into models of green retail – and why Kaufland believes sustainability starts with the building itself.

Hamburg-based real estate developer HBB has once again been recognized as Germany’s top retail developer, receiving the prestigious European Real Estate Brand Award for the third year in a row. The accolade highlights HBB’s strength in innovation, sustainability, and brand resilience in a rapidly evolving market.

The winners of the 2025 Solal Marketing Awards were announced at an outstanding gala event at fashionable leisure venue Fabryka Norblina in Warsaw. The live event was the first celebration of the most effective and innovative marketing campaigns in the shopping center industry since the pandemic. A record-number of entries in eleven distinct categories were received, with finalists joining the event from countries right across Europe, Canada and South Africa.